Student Opportunities
Coaching Clinic
About the Negotiation Coaching Clinic
The Negotiation Coaching Clinic, hosted by the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Collaboratory (NCRC) at Harvard Kennedy School, is an intensive, research-based program designed to develop and refine negotiation skills through personalized coaching, hands-on simulations, and guided reflection. Offered every semester, the Clinic is built around a unique three-tier developmental pipeline—one that creates meaningful opportunities not just for students looking to sharpen their skills, but for those ready to deepen them further by becoming coaches themselves, and for alumni working in the field who want to give back to the community while continuing their own professional growth.
Participants
The Clinic begins with you. As a participant, you’ll work one-on-one with a dedicated coach to identify your personal negotiation goals, participate in a series of dynamic simulations, and receive detailed, individualized feedback along the way. The intensive is structured to be a personalized learning experience, focusing on your individual goals and overcoming self-identified obstacles in negotiation. Participants apply to the Clinic each semester, and spots are limited to ensure every participant receives the focused attention the program is designed to deliver.
“This training has probably been the most transformational thing… it changed the way I show up. The feedback I get in my job is very different from previously.”
— Robin Nataf, MPA c/o 2019, four years after participating in the training
“I still use these skills in my work today and they are so valuable.”
— Sam Elghanayan, MPA/ID c/o 2020, three years after participating in the training
Coaches
For many participants, becoming a coach is where the real acceleration happens. After completing the Clinic as a participant, students who are interested in coaching can apply to join the coaching team. Accepted applicants go through a formal virtual training before the Clinic itself, which prepares them to observe, support, and give meaningful coaching to the participants they’ll work with. At the end of training, coaches are selected based on their readiness to take on that role. It turns out that learning to coach negotiation – to observe it carefully, name what’s happening, and help someone else grow — is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your own practice. Former coaches have also provided feedback that learning the Clinic’s 5-step feedback process has been immensely valuable in their own professional development.
“If you wish to become an excellent negotiator and leader, nothing beats learning through practice. Coaching in the Clinic is one of the most meaningful, growth-oriented experiences you can have at HKS — it sharpens leadership skills and builds a thoughtful community.”
Mentor Coaches
The third tier is for NCRC alumni who are continuing to work in the field of negotiation and conflict resolution and want to stay connected to the community they came from. Mentor coaches join us at the in-person Clinic and provide feedback to our student coaches. Mentor coaches bring the perspective of negotiation practitioners who are thinking deeply about the application of these tools in the real world. It’s a professional development opportunity as much as it is a chance to give back, and we welcome anyone who fits that description to reach out and let us know their interest.
“I enjoyed the experience! It felt valuable to provide support to coaches and fill in gaps for simulations.”
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the Clinic was the mentor coaching experience.”
Program Structure
The Coaching Clinic takes place in person over two days each semester and is designed to move participants through a carefully sequenced series of experiences. Each element builds on the last, creating a rhythm of practice, feedback, and reflection that is at the heart of how the Clinic works.
The two-day program includes:
Multiple negotiation simulations that challenge participants to apply and stretch their skills across a range of scenarios
Post-simulation debriefs to consolidate learning and prepare for what comes next
One-on-one coaching sessions with a dedicated coach, focused on your individual goals and growth areas
Peer preparation exercises that build collaboration and sharpen strategy before each simulation
Opt-in sessions during coaching downtimes that include small presentations and group discussions on topics like bias in negotiation, pop-culture negotiation analysis, and case studies creating space for deeper reflection, peer connection, and learning from practitioners in the field
Who Should Attend
The Clinic is designed for people at different stages of their negotiation journey, and each tier has its own eligibility criteria.
Participants
You are eligible to apply as a participant if you are a current student or fellow at Harvard and have taken or are currently enrolled in a simulation-based negotiation course. You must also be available for the entirety of the two-day program. The Clinic is consistently oversubscribed by three to four times the number of available spots so we encourage applicants to submit thoughtful, timely applications. Spots are awarded based on a 100-word motivation statement and a 100-word reflection statement. We encourage applicants to focus on their desire to grow rather than their existing skill level—the Clinic is for learners, not just for those who already feel confident at the table.
Coaches
To be considered as a coach, you must have previously completed the Clinic as a participant. Interested students apply separately and, if accepted, take part in a live virtual training and interview process in the month before the Clinic. Selection as a coach is made at the end of that process, based on readiness to support and give feedback to others. This is a meaningful commitment, and we look for people who are genuinely motivated to invest in someone else’s growth.
Mentor Coaches
Mentor coaches are predominantly NCRC alumni who are actively working in the field of negotiation and conflict resolution. There is no formal application process—if you’re an alumni working in this space and you’re interested in joining us for a semester, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to the NCRC team to let us know your interest.
What People Are Saying
The Clinic consistently ranks among the most impactful experiences HKS students have during their time at the Kennedy School. Here’s what past participants, coaches, and mentor coaches have shared:
I really appreciate that the Clinic exists! Participating really helped me build my skills and put many of the concepts I’d learned into better practice. The direct feedback was incredibly valuable.”
This was amazing — thank you so much for giving us this opportunity, it was one of the most valuable things I’ve done at HKS!”
Beyond negotiation skills, I learned a lot about how to get and receive feedback. I started asking specific questions, and how it landed on the other person’s perspective. I have never done that before and I think this is a powerful tool to help me reflect better.”
How to Apply
The Clinic is offered every semester. Applications open several weeks before each session, and we encourage interested students to apply early. Spots fill quickly and late submissions are not accepted.
Apply as a participant
Complete the online application, which includes a 100-word motivation statement and a 100-word reflection statement. Focus on your goals and your desire to grow—we’re looking for motivated learners, not polished negotiators.
Apply as a coach
You must have previously completed the Clinic as a participant. Applications will be sent out to previous Clinic participants, but if you’re interested, it is best to let us know early! Accepted applicants will complete a virtual training before the Clinic, and final selection as a coach is made at the end of that training process.
Join as a mentor coach
Reach out to the NCRC team directly. We welcome any alumnus who is actively working in negotiation and conflict resolution and wants to reconnect with the HKS community while contributing to the development of the next generation of practitioners.
Case and Simulation Laboratory
The Case and Simulation Design Laboratory is an ongoing collaboration between NCRC and HKS students who want to go deeper in their negotiation learning. Faculty Chair Brian Mandell has transformed the field of experiential negotiation education, and the Case and Simulation Design Laboratory is where much of that work is born. Working alongside the NCRC team, including Brian Mandell and Monica Giannone, students take the lead on designing and writing cutting-edge negotiation cases and simulations — conducting interviews with practitioners and protagonists in the field, gathering real-world materials, and helping shape the content that drives our classroom teaching and global programming. Opportunities arise on an ad hoc basis throughout the year. If you’re an HKS student interested in working more closely with our team and going deep on negotiation pedagogy, we’d love to hear from you.
